Readers of my blog (I hope that there is at least one) will notice that my new year banner has finally been taken down now from the home page on my website. Perhaps you may be wondering why I left it this late, although I'm sure that Lizzie Archer is regretting having asked Nigel to take their New Year banner so early - things would be very different in Ambridge now, if only they had left it till February .....
The point I want to make today is, that whatever time of the year, you can always decide to make changes. It doesn't have to be at the start of the year, although this is sometimes a good opportunity to think about new opportunities, as we can put the previous year behind us.
I find that we can often feel stuck in a rut, once the year begins, and we find ourselves back on the work/family commitment treadmill, with barely any time to ourselves in order to rest and relax. By taking time out every day to practice self-hypnosis or meditation, we allow this constant whirlwind of to do lists/deadlines/daily chores to settle, and our minds become much more open to new ways of looking at old problems.
As part of my hypnotherapy treatment, I create for clients their own personal CD, usually only about 15 minutes in length, as I am conscious of time restraints. They can then use this regularly to enhance relaxation, and get into the habit of having daily 'time out' in order to achieve a greater sense of balance and calm. The fact that it is personally tailored to their own individual personality and issues means that it is even more powerful.
The way I like to describe this is like a glass of water which has had sand stirred into it, and the water ends up being cloudy with all the stirring. Once the glass of water is left to settle, you can then see clear water once again.
If you are finding it difficult to contemplate change, or if you want help with coping with the 'daily grind' do contact me on 0781 715 8429 or 01449 780352, or email me on wendy@wendychalk.co.uk. New starts are not just for January 1st!
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
Monday, 14 February 2011
Hypnotherapy for creative purposes
Last week, my week began and ended with Rachmaninov.
On Monday, my son was performing as a finalist in the West Suffolk Young Musician of the Year, playing Rachmaninov’s Prelude in C Minor. As his mum, I was incredibly proud of him thought he played it brilliantly of course (but what do I know – I only got to Grade 3), however it was not quite enough to put him in the final.
Then, on Saturday my son and I attended a concert by the Wolsey Orchestra at the new Apex Concert Hall in Bury St Edmunds – the second half of the evening was devoted to Rachmaninov’s Symphony No. 2 in E minor. I was in heaven, and it was wonderful to hear the great man’s music once again, this time put to orchestra.
Later on, reading the programme, I found out that, after a disastrous early career performance, Rachmaninov sunk into a deep depression, from which he found it impossible to lift himself out of. It was only after the intervention of a Russian hypnotherapist, Dr. Nicolai Dahl, that Rachmaninov went on to compose and perform once again.
Rachmaninoff, in his memoirs, tells the story:
"My relations had told Dr. Nicolai Dahl that he must at all costs cure me of my apathetic condition and achieve such results that I would again begin to compose. Dahl asked what manner of composition they desired and had received the answer, ‘A concerto for pianoforte,' for this I had promised to the people in London and had given it up in despair. Consequently I heard the same hypnotic formula repeated day after day while I lay half asleep in my armchair in Dr. Dahl's study, 'You will begin to write your concerto ....You will work with great facility ....The concerto will be of excellent quality ....' It was always the same, without interruption.
Although it may sound incredible, this cure really helped me. Already at the start of the summer, I was composing once more. The material accumulated, and new musical ideas began to stir within me - many more than I needed for my concerto. By autumn I had completed two movements .... These I played that same season at a charity concert .... with gratifying success .... By the spring I had finished the first movement ... and felt that Dr. Dahl's treatment had strengthened my nervous system to a miraculous degree.
Out of gratitude I dedicated my Second Concerto to him."
I have always believed in the power of hypnotherapy to heal, but the point here is that, not only did this intervention restore Rachmaninov’s confidence, but lead to a positive flow of creativity, which resulted in such a wonderful legacy that we can all enjoy.
I have found that, with many of my clients, whatever treatment plan they are following, this development of their creative side tends to be a by-product of the treatment, even if it was not sought initially. It seems to lead to a flow in ideas, possibilities and options, where before there had been a block. And, quite remarkably, this flow continues long after treatment.
If you feel that your confidence needs lifting and your creative side needs some help, do contact me on 01449 780352 or 0781 715 8429 to find out how hypnotherapy can help.
I do not promise that you will be composing piano concertos, but you will make wonderful new discoveries about yourself.
On Monday, my son was performing as a finalist in the West Suffolk Young Musician of the Year, playing Rachmaninov’s Prelude in C Minor. As his mum, I was incredibly proud of him thought he played it brilliantly of course (but what do I know – I only got to Grade 3), however it was not quite enough to put him in the final.
Then, on Saturday my son and I attended a concert by the Wolsey Orchestra at the new Apex Concert Hall in Bury St Edmunds – the second half of the evening was devoted to Rachmaninov’s Symphony No. 2 in E minor. I was in heaven, and it was wonderful to hear the great man’s music once again, this time put to orchestra.
Later on, reading the programme, I found out that, after a disastrous early career performance, Rachmaninov sunk into a deep depression, from which he found it impossible to lift himself out of. It was only after the intervention of a Russian hypnotherapist, Dr. Nicolai Dahl, that Rachmaninov went on to compose and perform once again.
Rachmaninoff, in his memoirs, tells the story:
"My relations had told Dr. Nicolai Dahl that he must at all costs cure me of my apathetic condition and achieve such results that I would again begin to compose. Dahl asked what manner of composition they desired and had received the answer, ‘A concerto for pianoforte,' for this I had promised to the people in London and had given it up in despair. Consequently I heard the same hypnotic formula repeated day after day while I lay half asleep in my armchair in Dr. Dahl's study, 'You will begin to write your concerto ....You will work with great facility ....The concerto will be of excellent quality ....' It was always the same, without interruption.
Although it may sound incredible, this cure really helped me. Already at the start of the summer, I was composing once more. The material accumulated, and new musical ideas began to stir within me - many more than I needed for my concerto. By autumn I had completed two movements .... These I played that same season at a charity concert .... with gratifying success .... By the spring I had finished the first movement ... and felt that Dr. Dahl's treatment had strengthened my nervous system to a miraculous degree.
Out of gratitude I dedicated my Second Concerto to him."
I have always believed in the power of hypnotherapy to heal, but the point here is that, not only did this intervention restore Rachmaninov’s confidence, but lead to a positive flow of creativity, which resulted in such a wonderful legacy that we can all enjoy.
I have found that, with many of my clients, whatever treatment plan they are following, this development of their creative side tends to be a by-product of the treatment, even if it was not sought initially. It seems to lead to a flow in ideas, possibilities and options, where before there had been a block. And, quite remarkably, this flow continues long after treatment.
If you feel that your confidence needs lifting and your creative side needs some help, do contact me on 01449 780352 or 0781 715 8429 to find out how hypnotherapy can help.
I do not promise that you will be composing piano concertos, but you will make wonderful new discoveries about yourself.
Thursday, 10 February 2011
Wait loss
I really like Jenni Murray of Radio 4's Woman's Hour - she is a brilliant broadcaster and journalist, and I believe, one of the best interviewers on radio. I was therefore very pleased that, after beating cancer, she has now managed to lose 3 stone in weight. Remarkably, she has lost the 3 stone in a relatively short period of time - just 3 months through going on the Dukan diet. This 'revolutionary' new diet involves restricting carbs, and eating lots of lean protein, cutting out alcohol and processed foods and adding oat bran to your diet. Nothing new really, it would seem, just shades of Atkins/South Beach/GI all rolled into one. And whilst it claims to allow you to eat all you want, without calorie counting, the diet is actually extremely restrictive, particularly in the initial phases.
Whilst I wish Jenni all the best, and really hope that she manages to reach her target weight, it concerns me when people lose weight really quickly, as invariably, once a 'normal' diet is re-introduced, the weight goes back on (and often much more) as the metabolism has slowed down, and also once the diet is no longer followed, your mind tends to tell you 'she might be going on another diet, so I will have to eat all I can now in order to make up for it'. Jenni admits that the weight went on over many years, so how can it be healthy to then lose so much in a matter of months. It is the classic feast/famine syndrome, which ultimately is very unhealthy, and puts a lot of strain on the body. The same sort of thing tends to happen with diets such as Lighterlife, where meal replacements are used for a number of months until the goal weight is reached, and then, just as soon as a normal diet is re-introduced, the weight has a tendency to go back on really quickly.
My advice to people wishing to lose weight is to address the psychological issues which are causing them to eat more than they need. Often, once these are dealt with, it is much easier to get rid of unwanted pounds gradually and naturally (a rate of just 1lb per week is fine and much more like to stay off). Also, I believe it is unwise to go on a very restrictive diet, as you only end up craving the foods that you are omitting from your diet - obvious really.
Weight loss is really quite simple - eating less and exercising more - but this seems to cause such difficulty, and people are seduced by the marketing hype of the latest 'new' diet, and think at last, this is the ONE that will make them thin.
Hypnotherapy and NLP helps you to identify what is making you eat more than you need, and is very successful at giving you new (non food-related) strategies to make you feel really good about yourself.
If you would like to find out how I can help you reach a healthy weight AND feel so much better about yourself, please do contact me on 0871 715 8429 / 01449 780352 or email me on wendy@wendychalk.co.uk.
Whilst I wish Jenni all the best, and really hope that she manages to reach her target weight, it concerns me when people lose weight really quickly, as invariably, once a 'normal' diet is re-introduced, the weight goes back on (and often much more) as the metabolism has slowed down, and also once the diet is no longer followed, your mind tends to tell you 'she might be going on another diet, so I will have to eat all I can now in order to make up for it'. Jenni admits that the weight went on over many years, so how can it be healthy to then lose so much in a matter of months. It is the classic feast/famine syndrome, which ultimately is very unhealthy, and puts a lot of strain on the body. The same sort of thing tends to happen with diets such as Lighterlife, where meal replacements are used for a number of months until the goal weight is reached, and then, just as soon as a normal diet is re-introduced, the weight has a tendency to go back on really quickly.
My advice to people wishing to lose weight is to address the psychological issues which are causing them to eat more than they need. Often, once these are dealt with, it is much easier to get rid of unwanted pounds gradually and naturally (a rate of just 1lb per week is fine and much more like to stay off). Also, I believe it is unwise to go on a very restrictive diet, as you only end up craving the foods that you are omitting from your diet - obvious really.
Weight loss is really quite simple - eating less and exercising more - but this seems to cause such difficulty, and people are seduced by the marketing hype of the latest 'new' diet, and think at last, this is the ONE that will make them thin.
Hypnotherapy and NLP helps you to identify what is making you eat more than you need, and is very successful at giving you new (non food-related) strategies to make you feel really good about yourself.
If you would like to find out how I can help you reach a healthy weight AND feel so much better about yourself, please do contact me on 0871 715 8429 / 01449 780352 or email me on wendy@wendychalk.co.uk.
Thursday, 3 February 2011
We all tend to feel better when we look better - whatever people may say about beauty being skin deep, I believe that making the best of your appearance can improve well-being and is perfectly natural and healthy.
However, it really does concern me that a lot of young people are showing a tendency to obsession, when it comes to how they look. Watching the Channel 4 programme 'Beauty & the Beast:the Ugly face of Prejudice' last night made interesting viewing in this regard, observing Yasmin, a very pretty young girl with quite obvious confidence issues and her time with Oliver, a father of two, facially disfigured by burns. Yasmin spent hours every day attending to make-up and hair, and really found it impossible to go out without hair extensions/false eyelashes etc., whereas by contrast Oliver was very happy 'in his skin' (no pun intended) and was intent on persuading Yasmin that actually she looked better without make up.
Having two teenagers, I know that the pressure on young people to look good is enormous - whether or not this is due to the media forever showing us images of 'perfect' bodies. What concerns me is this un-ending quest for 'perfection', with even young teenagers requesting cosmetic surgery, and where it used to be mainly girls who were most troubled by appearance, boys are now subject to feelings of self-loathing as well. Children and teenagers seem to attach great importance to looks and can be incredibly cruel to each other. A chance comment made in the playground can have a lasting effect on a child's already shaky self-esteem. Perhaps it is not just coincidence that the most popular net-working site for young people is called 'Facebook'.
It is my belief that we need to give children and young people the emotional 'tools' to feel good about themselves from a very early age. This includes giving them encouragement and praise at every opportunity, as well as teaching them how to communicate well with others, and making them feel good about themselves. Being there for them (when they feel the need to talk) is essential. It is also really important that they learn strategies in order to deal with stress, sadly a common factor in today's world, with continual exams and testing, family breakdown, job worries as well as this overiding emphasis on body image.
If you are concerned about your child or teenager's self esteem, please do give me a call on 01449 780352 or 0781 7158429, or email me on wendy@wendychalk.co.uk.
However, it really does concern me that a lot of young people are showing a tendency to obsession, when it comes to how they look. Watching the Channel 4 programme 'Beauty & the Beast:the Ugly face of Prejudice' last night made interesting viewing in this regard, observing Yasmin, a very pretty young girl with quite obvious confidence issues and her time with Oliver, a father of two, facially disfigured by burns. Yasmin spent hours every day attending to make-up and hair, and really found it impossible to go out without hair extensions/false eyelashes etc., whereas by contrast Oliver was very happy 'in his skin' (no pun intended) and was intent on persuading Yasmin that actually she looked better without make up.
Having two teenagers, I know that the pressure on young people to look good is enormous - whether or not this is due to the media forever showing us images of 'perfect' bodies. What concerns me is this un-ending quest for 'perfection', with even young teenagers requesting cosmetic surgery, and where it used to be mainly girls who were most troubled by appearance, boys are now subject to feelings of self-loathing as well. Children and teenagers seem to attach great importance to looks and can be incredibly cruel to each other. A chance comment made in the playground can have a lasting effect on a child's already shaky self-esteem. Perhaps it is not just coincidence that the most popular net-working site for young people is called 'Facebook'.
It is my belief that we need to give children and young people the emotional 'tools' to feel good about themselves from a very early age. This includes giving them encouragement and praise at every opportunity, as well as teaching them how to communicate well with others, and making them feel good about themselves. Being there for them (when they feel the need to talk) is essential. It is also really important that they learn strategies in order to deal with stress, sadly a common factor in today's world, with continual exams and testing, family breakdown, job worries as well as this overiding emphasis on body image.
If you are concerned about your child or teenager's self esteem, please do give me a call on 01449 780352 or 0781 7158429, or email me on wendy@wendychalk.co.uk.
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